An Open Letter From Latin American Think Tanks in Support of Cato

Cato has worked closely with advocates of limited government throughout Latin America during the past several decades, a period that has seen the burgeoning of think tanks committed to promoting free societies. Some 30 think tank leaders in the region have signed an open letter to Cato President Ed Crane and board members in support of an independent Cato. A translation of their letter is below:

Edward Crane and Members of the Board of Directors
Cato Institute
Washington, D.C.

We, the heads of think tanks throughout Latin America, wish to express our respect, admiration and appreciation for the work that the Cato Institute does in our region in defense of the principles of free markets, limited government and peace.

The support we receive from the Cato Institute through its experts, its publications, the seminars for students that it hosts in our countries, its Spanish-language website (elcato.org), the Economic Freedom of the World report of the Fraser Institute that Cato co-publishes in Spanish every year, the distribution of op-eds in the region’s most prominent newspapers, and the immediate response to any of our requests for assistance are evidence of the Cato Institute’s tireless work to create free and prosperous societies in Latin America.

At this time when the Cato Institute is experiencing a threat to its independence, we hope that everything is resolved in the best way possible, and to the benefit of those of us who closely follow the institute and its important work around the world.

We would be pleased to share with you how the contributions of the Cato Institute have benefited our work in pursuing free markets in Latin America.